RCB News

Fearless Royal Challengers eager to conquer the crown!

A side which has fought very hard to make it to the final of the 2016 Indian Premier League is just one game away from creating history and bagging the coveted IPL trophy for the very first time.

The Virat Kohli led Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad in a mega Sunday final at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium today. With the championship on the line, both sides are expected it to give their all. But here's a warning to the Warner-led side -- Be prepared to face the wrath of the Bold brigade!

Before these two sides take the field for one last time in the 2016 IPL, let's take a look at their respective squads:

From the RCB dugout

The Royal Challengers Bangalore have been on a tremendous winning streak dismantling and destroying every opposition that has come their way in the last 5 matches. Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers will be playing their second IPL final for RCB and will be itching to get going for the side. If the Gaylestorm strikes, you know on what side the match can tilt. The Universe Boss will be critical for RCB and we're sure that he won't disappoint!

AB de Villiers was the difference between RCB and Gujarat Lions in the Qualifier. The South African has already spoken about his intentions of playing boldly in the final and you what to expect.

Skipper Virat Kohli will be playing his third IPL and will be the most anxious among the 22 men playing today to win the trophy. Looking at the form that he is in and considering the fact that he got out on a duck in the previous game, the Royal Challengers skipper will be hungry to get among the runs when it matters the most.

KL Rahul too has been among runs and has enjoyed batting at the Chinnaswamy. Shane Watson has been a revelation with the ball but his batting prowess will be needed if the situation demands for RCB. Sachin Baby and Stuart Binny have been great assets for the team in the slog overs and have the ability to clear the ground comfortably.

Yuzvendra Chahal has led the spin department potently. Specially at the Chinnaswamy, Yuzi has had tremendous assistance from the pitch where he's turned the ball a mile! His spin twin Iqbal Abdulla also has found rhythm just at the right time. The pace bowling unit led by Watto and Chris Jordan can bowl a perfect mix of bouncers and yorkers which has helped RCB restrict the flow of runs in the final stages.

Sreenath Aravind has frustrated opposition with his accuracy and gives us those critical early breakthroughs. We hope that he continues to help us script a perfect end!

From the SRH dugout

The Sunrisers Hyderabad have won two knockouts to earn a place in the finals against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The 2016 IPL's second highest run getter David Warner is in red hot form and his wicket will be crucial to RCB's cause. His opening partner Shikhar Dhawan has had a below par IPL but can take a match away on his given day.

Moises Henriques, Deepak Hooda and Kane Williamson have all been tried at the number 3 position. Henriques has scored runs briskly apart from being useful with the ball. Yuvraj Singh has also fired consistently for his team after returning from injury.

Ben Cutting has cemented his place ahead of the likes of Eoin Morgan and Williamson. He has been among wickets and varies the ball to keep the batsman guessing. Deepak Hooda has under performed in this season but has managed to keep his place in the side.

Wicketkeeper Naman Ojha has been fantastic behind the wicket but has thrown his wicket away at crucial situations. RCB will look to exploit Hyderabad's weak lower middle over.

The bowling attack suddenly seems a little less threatening with Ashish Nehra unavailable and Mustafizur Rahman suffering a hamstring injury. Barinder Sran has done a splendid job while Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been the leader of the pack with 21 wickets and also holds the purple cap. Trent Boult went for a beating in the eliminator but took the prized scalp of Suresh Raina. He swings the new ball on both sides and can be a threat to the openers.

It will be one heck of a final when both the teams come out all guns blazing to clinch their first ever IPL trophy!

Our Bold trump card

With 5 man of the match awards and 4 centuries already to his name, Virat Kohli is the danger man ahead of the all important final. Kohli has seen RCB tumble in 2 IPL finals in the past. But the run machine has never looked surer of taking his side to victory against SRH today. He has led his team from the front by scoring in almost every match.

The Royal Challengers need their skipper to see them home and go for the ultimate glory in this battle royale! We hope Kohli plays another gallant knock to ensure the trophy doesn't leave Bangalore.